Day 1 Rooted - Peace: Introduction
The Bible speaks of three types of peace that we can experience — Peace with God, Peace of God and Peace on Earth.
Peace with God is achieved by faith and reconciles us spiritually to our Father. When we first accept Jesus into our lives, we begin a new relationship with God.
Our wrongs have been forgiven through grace, and a way has been made for us to live at peace with Him (Romans 5:1).
The peace of God transcends all understanding — we cannot fathom it, nor conjure it up. This is the peace we can physically experience despite our circumstances; a harmony and calmness of body, mind and spirit — even when we face tricky or devastating times. We can experience this peace for ourselves by trusting God and obeying His Word. ‘Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble’ (Psalm 119:165).
Peace on earth is what we continue to wait and hope for, and will only fully be established on Christ’s return — as the Lord promised in Isaiah 9:6-7: ‘We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end; peace will last forever.’
Until that day, we are called to do everything we can to live at peace with everyone around us (Romans 12:18). Paul instructs us, ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you’ (2 Corinthians 13:11).
So let us root our lives firmly in Jesus. Let us forgive those who have hurt us, releasing ourselves from the bondage of unforgiveness and resentment, and instead strive for harmony in our relationships.
It is only through Christ that we can experience God’s peace. When we take all our troubles to God, relinquishing control over our own lives, we dare to trust in Him who promises, ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:7).
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And through Him God reconciled everything to
Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven
and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
Colossians 1:20 (NLT)
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ACTION
Spend a few minutes praising and thanking God for the ways He has brought peace into your life. You may wish to write or draw your thoughts down.
CHALLENGE
Take a moment to examine what being a peacemaker might look like in your own life. Has someone’s actions left you feeling hurt or angry? Is there anything you need to do to ‘make peace’ and resolve things with a friend, family member or someone from church? If so, seek God’s help to do so now.